X-bit labs

S3 GammaChrome S18 Pro Graphics Adapter Review (page 4)

Category: Video

by Alexey Stepin

[ 04/19/2005 | 07:19 PM ]

Performance in Theoretical Benchmarks

Video Playback

We tried the newcomer at playing files of different formats (WMV HD, DivX and DVD). These tests were run on an i925X-based platform with a 3.60GHz Intel Pentium 560 processor.

For the HDTV test we took the Magic of Flight clip encoded in 1080p WMV HD format with a data rate of 8 megabits per second. You can download it here. So, the RADEON X600 PRO is the slowest in this test, while the S3 GammaChrome S18 is just a little behind the GeForce 6600 which sports a second-generation PureVideo video-processor.

To check out the CPU load during DivX playback we used a file encoded at 640x480 resolution. We got much more curious results here: the S3 graphics card had the highest minimal CPU load level when the file was being reproduced through the standard Windows Media Player, but the maximum peak of the load was the same as with the GeForce 6600. When we used the InterVideo WinDVD version specially optimized for the GammaChrome’s Chromotion engine, the min CPU load level went halfway down, while the maximum level remained the same. The RADEON X600 PRO has a smallest difference between the max and min CPU load levels, and it wins this test if we compare the results by the max CPU load.

We took a Starship Troopers DVD for the next test. The S3 GammaChrome wins this check when playing the movie through Windows Media Player. For some unknown reason the CPU load is considerably higher with the WinDVD player than in the previous test. The GeForce 6600 occupies the second place, followed by the RADEON X600 PRO.

So, the new chip from S3 displays its exceptional talent for video playback and makes a worthy rival to the NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GPU which is equipped with a special video-processor specially intended to reduce the CPU load.